piercedqt78

They have arrested the father...http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/girls_dead Hope the link works~Mandy

I live just under an hour's drive from Zion and this is a terrible loss for the whole town. There are no words to express the loss of a child. Yes, Illinois has the death penalty, John Wayne Gasie (sp?) was put to death 10 years ago here. I hope the person responsible for this is next in line~Mandy I had this from a friends childs funeral... When God calls little children to dwell with Him above, We mortals sometimes question the wisdom of His love. For no heartache compares with the death of one small child Who does so much to make our world seem wonderful and mild. Perhaps God tires of calling the aged to His fold So He picks a little rosebud before it can grow old. God knows how much we need them, so He takes but a few To make the land of heaven more beautiful to view. Believing this is difficult, still, somehow we must try, The saddest word mankind knows will always be "goodbye." So when a little child departs, we who are left behind Must realize God loves children... Angels are hard to find.

I called yesterday and confirmed that my paperwork is in the right place. Our BCBS is through the railroad and it is a bit different than most preapproval processes. It goes through 2 departments, the first make sure that all of the required information is there and then they submit it for review. I submitted everything friday and it has already been passed to the review department, woohoo!!! I guess I had everything I needed to submit together the first time. When do you all think I should start calling to check on the status??? I have heard that the squeeky wheel gets the oil, do you all agree with that? Is calling frequently going to make my chances any better or this process any faster? I dont want to make my review person mad and have them set my case aside for the full 4-6 weeks... what did you do???~Mandy

I had a similar experience with 1800flowers. One of the artist at the tattoo shop I manage is diabetic and he bacame very ill right in feb. I sent flowers and they were never delivered to the hospital. I called about 14 times and they were going to send them to the house, as he had been released by this point. They never arrived at the house, the driver claimed he could not find his home. (I faxed them a perfect map) Then the final straw, they called him at home, still ill, and said we have flowers for you, come and get them if you want to. They suck~Mandy

I did the shots in my knee and in my foot, and they hurt but not as bad as I expected. It didn't help in either place. I ended up having surgery on the bone spur in my left foot on 8-13-04 and went to Walt Disney World for 9 days in mid October and walked my butt off. I was in no pain at all. I just had to ice it at night to help with the little bit of swelling from the 90+ degree heat. In 8 weeks I was fully healed, I have the laproscopic surgery and it was like 3 hours total in a surgey center. It was a friday and I was back at work on wed, (I only work wed, thurs and sat). Either way I hope it all works out for you, I am glad I took care of my foot when I did as I am much more comfortable now~Mandy

Here is a post from another Dr. Pleatman patient... http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=104&highlight=Pleatman Maybe you can PM and ask questions..~Mandy

I am also in Chicago. Who is doing your surgery? What hospital are you going too? I am waiting on insurance to make their decision. I am using Dr. Horgen at UIC. Best of luck to you~Mandy

I went for my psych eval today and things went GREAT!!! They are going to give me the green light for surgery. It started with the actual doctor and a student in the room and the doctor got very ill and the student finished the evaluation. She said that they see no problems with me being banded, I gave LBT all the credit for that. I told her about all the wonderful support and information here, she wrote down the info and said she would reccomend it to people that they are going to approve. And the best news of all they are going to submit to my insurance and waive my 25% co-pay since it was a student. WooHoo!!! I am soooo glad that is over. Thanks for everyone for all the support and encouragment that you have all given over the last few months. My official request for pre-approval will be sent in next monday, everyone say a prayer for me~Mandy

The insurance is requiring the eval, but the doc does too. I guess I am going to have to have it done either way. I am going on monday the 2nd of May. The doc's office will have the psych's letter on wed the 4th. From what I understand this is what most of her evals are for, WLS. I am sure I will be fine I have the guidelines for the visit and I am going to do fine. ~Mandy

I think my main reson for covering my tattoos is that I don't want to see "body mutilation" on the form. Also I don't want them to think that I am body dysphoric (sp?). I am really comfy in my body, it is like a pair of baggy sweats, big and comfy. It is my health that I am concerned about, that is my reasonm for surgery. I personally could be fat forever and would still love myself because that is just how I am. I say I am a medium person in an extra large body !! Maybe I will be a medium person in a medium body in a few years???? That would be much more comfy on my knee and back dont cha think? ~MAndy

Thanks TraumaNurse, DeLarla and NClonghorn it is nice to know that it is not a huge deal. I am covered with tattoos and I don't want to have to explain why I did that "to my body" I did pick out an outfit that conceals most of my artwork though. Strange I have never felt the need to hide them but I do now. Not that I am ashamed but I just dont want to have my love for body art go against me. I am as stable as the next I suppose. I dont drink or do any drugs and have no eatig disorders. I think I will be ok after all. Thanks again~Mandy

Also don't forget we are just a computer away!!! You ay have your band in Africa and a doctor in Paris or the States but you will have your band-family right by your side day or night~Mandy

Not sure how authentic it was (they claim it is true african cusine) but while at Disney World last fall we ate at a place called Boma it serves african food. Just about everything was well (slow) cooked and had a sauce of some kind, mostly curry or tomato and the meat just fell off the bone. So if the food at Boma was at all accurate then african food is definatly band friendly as far as I can tell. I am hoping to be banded this summer and 2 of my girlfriends were banded last year and they could have eaten there with no problem. ~Mandy

I submitted several weeks ago to BCBS for preapproval. Last week I get a call saying that I HAVE to have the psych eval before they will even look at my request for preapproval. So I asked if the eval would be covered and they say we have a seperate mental health provider and give me an 800 number to call for more details. I call and speak to the (very nasty) lady at value options mental health providers and was told the following: 1) the psych eval would be covered at 75% for the doctor that my surgeon recomended, if the eval was deemed nessary by mental health standards (aka they don't give a **** if bcbs wants it done) if not nessary it would be paid at 38% (not sure why such an odd percent guessing half of 75%??) 2) there is no way to predetermine how much will be paid until the notes are looked at by the adjuster. Since I am not having panic attacks or any kind of chemical imbalance or drug problem it would most likely be at the 38%. The visit can be as much as $450 To me it seems unfair that BCBS can require something but not pay for it. I have an appt on the 2nd and I am taking my check book with me as I am going to have to pay something that day, at least 25% and they will bill me for the rest. Anyone else have this knid of glitch thrown in after you submitted your paperwork? I ask if BCBS would approve me pending psych eval and was told no way, that is just not done period... I think that sucks but that is life. Anyway, what should I expect in the eval? Are they going to make me look at ink blots?? Or just ask me a bunch of questions???? I get the feeling that they are mostly making sure that there are no eating disorders or problems adjusting to new situations. Any info would be great~Mandy

I learned in OA that if you do individual dishes and not put the remainder on the table that the whole family is less likely to overeat as they dont usuallly go for 2nds. I put the soup in a bowl sprinkle on some cheese and then add a spoonful of sour cream on top. I have a basket of tortillias on the table. I am not a big bread person so I don't have any but my 3 year old is a carb junkie so she eats my share. She also only eats the corn and tomatos from the soup, no green beans for her. (she will eat green beans with lemon juice on them if they are a stand alone side dish)

Not sure about lapband, but after GBP they say every 6 months for the first 2 years and then yearly thereafter. Hope this helps~Mandy

another easy one... shaved roast beef from the deli 1 -1 1/2 lbs with (with broth if available) 2 packets of brown gravy mix (calls for 1 cup water) mashed potatos Take the brown gravy mix and make it with 3 3 1/2 cups of liquid (combo of broth and water) Bring to a boil and turn off the heat. Add the shaved roast beef (I get the low fat kind) Serve with/over mashed potatos I usually have garlic bread with this, you can also have egg noodles in place of the potatos.

If your faimly likes taco seasoning try this: 1 -1 1/2 lbs cooked taco seasoned meat ground beef or turkey (you can also shred leftover chicken and season with taco seasoning) 1 can diced tomatos undrained 1 can or 1/2 bag frozen corn 1 can or 1/2 bag frozen green Beans 1 can chili or kidney beans 1 can beef broth (can use tomato juice too) Add all ingredients to a stock pot and simmer until all veggies are hot. Serve with cheese and low fat sour cream on top. I also make flour tortillas slightly crisp in the oven or on a medium flame on the stove top and have these on the table.

I just watched supersize me and there is a team of doctors that do lap RNY as a tandem (sp?) proceedure and it takes them less than 45 mins. Maybe on day lapband will be a 15 min thing too? As medicine progresses surgery time shortens, I guess. ~Mandy

When I got married my tummy was visable through my dress, so I went to a lingere store (a very expensive local place) and was fitted for a corset. The sales woman saw my expression when I saw the price tag and took me off to the side and suggested that I go to value city or burlington coat factory and get a "body shaper" it is a spandex "mini dress" that goes under your clothes and tucks everything in nicely.(they come with and without bra cups built in) It works like a girddle but breathes and moves more freely. It was about $30, jc penny has them for around $60. If you have a discount store around you that is the place to go, also with prom and wedding time approaching they should be easier to find. ~Mandy

I think that most people that have a local support group or are really perfectly happy with the results are just not on here as much. I know that when my almost 4 year old is being an angel I am not on the parents board as much, but when she is being a terror I am looking for other parents to support me. Maybe the same is true here? I have read some of the horrorible experiences and I am still going for it if my insurance will pay for it. ~Mandy

a thong and pasties. You could change your name to princess in the pasties . But maybe that is another thread all together???~Mandy

Dr. Horgan at MIBC in Chicago is doing the FDA testing for ages 14 to 18. It is not approved as of yet but they say it will be soon.~Mandy

Ok since I HAVE to spend the rest, I guess I could use a brand new 2005 Ford Mustang. I do love that car!!!~Mandy

My whole family loves anything Disney. I would get a Disney Vacation Club package for my family. And then I would put the rest of the money in savings and take from it as needed. I lived a very hard childhood and am really happy with the basics being met now. I love my husband and daughter with everything I have in me, it is really fulfilling to just be with my family. ~Mandy